Keeping his hometown safe

Aaron Jeffery

PARRY SOUND - Constable Aaron Jeffery is glad to be home.
The newest officer in the West Parry Sound detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police said he’s happy to be back in the town he grew up in to help the community and, hopefully, become a leader both on and off the job. Working as a police officer in the region for close to a month now, Jeffery is learning the many aspects of what it takes to be a police officer.
He said he got into policing out of a desire both to help people and to work in a job that offers a variety of experiences.
“Policing gives a mix of being out on the road and being in the office, but, the key thing is, and it’s kind of a cliché answer, but I do like helping people,” said Jeffery. “The main focus is being the one people call for help, and the one that helps people in a time of need and maybe making a bad day a little better.”
A police officer’s day is regularly changing. They always start off with putting on the uniform and making sure the long list of equipment is in working order, but by day’s end an officer could be doing anything from pursuing an investigation to just simply patrolling around the neighborhood.
A key part of policing in the region is being a visible presence in areas around schools and the main downtown commuter areas, Jeffery said.
“You never know what you’re going to get in a day, who you’re going to deal with, talk to or meet ,” said Jeffery. “You don’t know what you’re going to do to help people and what difference you’re going to make in someone’s life. It could be as small and simple as saying ‘hi’ to someone or it can be solving an investigation.”
See ’Be’ page 5
Taking engineering in school, Jeffery later decided that a pure desk job wasn’t for him, so he started the long, and sometimes grueling process, to become an officer of the law. It takes an average of about a year to get through the application process. The process includes everything from physical and mental health tests to reference checks.
At the end of it all, Jeffery was posted here in Parry Sound. He had been living away from Parry Sound for the last few years as he was working in the Hamilton area.
“I didn’t really enjoy the city,” said Jeffery. “The city is a little too busy for me. I like being back in Parry Sound, but, of course, being a police officer you see a different side of things. It will take a bit of getting used to, but it is nice to be back. I have family and friends here. I do like it.”
Jeffery aims to distinguish himself in the community both within his profession and outside of it. An athlete in his free time, don’t be surprised to see him on the local ice rinks.
“I hope to be a part of the community as more than just a police officer. By being active, hopefully, I can get involved in some sports. Hockey is my sport andI hope to get involved in the community that way and just become known as a positive member of the community. Being known as a leader, perhaps, and making a difference as much off the job as on the job,” Jeffery said.